Untitled

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2189, 13 May 1870, Page 2

The Executive. — Wo believe we are correct in saying that Mr J. L. Gillies has sent in his rosi.nation as a member of the Provincial Executive Council. We have heard various reasons assigned; but we believe the true one to be the charge by Mr Thomson, in the Council last evening, of “breach of faith.” Those Clutha men arc never satisfied. The Masonic Hall.—Wo were glad to see so many present at Mr JRainford’s benefit last evening. The programme was a capital one, and was faithfully carried out. Music. The Dunedin Private Musical Society have decided to give a concert in about a month’s time. It will be under the conductorship of Mr May, and as that able gentleman has given great attention to the practice of the Society, there is every reason to anticipate that any former efforts will be far exceeded. North Dunedin Mutual Improvement Society. —The musical and theatrical entertainment by this Society, for raising funds for improvements of the drill shed, comes off to-night. From the programme, we expect a large attendance, and plenty both of amnsemont and ins: ruction. On Dit.—lt is currantly reported that Mr Bmnton, C.E , has sent in favorable proposals to the Government for the construction of the Clutha Railway. We trust this rumor is true, and if so, the country will not be satisfied unless they are treated in a more business like spirit, than lias hitherto been the fate of offers for railway construction. Captain Francis. A number of the friends of Captain Francis, long and favorably known on the Thames goldfield, have presented him with a parting mark of estean. 'I he present was a handsome marine gla c s, upon which was to be inscribed the following memorial; —“Presented to Captain H. B. Francis, on his departure from the Thames, New Zealand, by a few friends, as a mark of esteem. Graliamstown, May 2, 1870.” Encroachment of the Sea at Westpoht. —Westport continues to suffer from en rbaehment of the sea, and the groin recently erected for the purpose of checking its advance, has be- n washed away. The sea has advanced to within three chains of the gaol, which will have to hi rcmoval, or like tho school-house, it avid probably soon be taken to sea. A New Export.—The first shipment of preserved meat from Canterbury to England Inas just been made by Messrs Walton, Warner, and Co., of Christchurch, who are sending home 121 eases of 61b tins of preserved mutton, and three cases of preserved tongius, prepared by the Canterbury Meat Export Company. It leaves in the Christian M'Ausland next week, and from the superior quality of Die meat, it is expected that it will find a ready market. The. company is now in full op'ration, and shipments will now steadily proceed. It lias engagements made for sonic time forward, and the greatest activity pervades the works. Mons. Fleurv’s Benefit. Mods. Floury takes his benefit at the Piinccss Theatre to-iiigh.t, and we hope for the credit of Dunedin, as well as for the sake of Mons. Fleury, that it will be a substantial one. He is one of the few who jio.w remain amongst us, whose names are associated with pleasant theatrical and musical reminiscences. None have contributed to these more than Mons. Fleury. His talent as a musician too, has always been freely exerted whenever benevolence has claimed it, and we hope that he will receive that support his long connexion with the town and his public services deserve. Mons. Fleury, we are glad to say, in addition to Miss Dolly Green’s excellent entertainment, will have the assistance of Mr Bialiqm and Mr Collins, so that the attraction is quite sufficient to secure success. The Premier in Caterbury.—On Monday the Hou. Mr Fox inspected the Christchurch police. The following day lie received a deputation from the local Chamber of Commerce, who consulted him on two or Dirge important topics connected with the business of tfie place. With regard to the question of stamping bills of exchange, Mr Fox stated that, while ho saw no obvious objection to permitting the use of adhesive stamps for sola bills of exchange, it would be necessary for him tom-mult his colleagues of the Treasury, as it was a matter affecting the revenue. In answer to an application for the publication of shipping telegrams, Mr Fox stated that he could see no objection to the proposal, and would consult with the lipacl of the department Personally he had the strongest wish to utilise the telegraph as much as possible for public purposes. Cast evening Mr Fox addressed the citizens of Christchurch in the Town Hail qu the affairs of the Colony, During his sojourn in Canterbury he is the guest of Mr J. Studholme. Taranaki Iron-sand. —Messrs Turnbull, Peeves, and Co., of Wellington, have received a letter from correspondents in London, Messrs Robert Brooks and Co., and report from Messrs Vickers, Sons, and Co., of Sheffield, relative to the Taranaki ironsand. They are sorry that they cannot give a favorable report of the sample sent home. They further say that t]je quantity was so small that it was impossible to try its real quality or ascertain its value. Messrs Vickers, Sons, and Co., of Sheffield, say, “ We have received and tested the New Zealand steel, and find it unmalleablc, and cannot be worked under the hammer. It is ■ evidently cast iron, and not steel, and is of up value unless it can bo worked with other irons. jOf this wo cannot judge with so small a quantity as the sent.” The Cauforian Mail, —lleiunis of the mail despatched by the Wonga Wonga have been published. Those sent to London

comprised 24,734 letters, 13,006 newspapers, and 224 books ; and those to America and West Indies, 1,367 le'ters, 710 newspapers, i and 224 books. Auckland headed the list with 7,905 letters, 5,150 newspapers, and 86 hooks; Christchurch coming second with 5,558 letters, 3.165 newspapers, and 42 books ; and Dunedin third with 5,065 letters, 1,908 newspapers, and 32 books. The Wonga’s mails were 3,000 letters in excess of the 1869 average, but 6,000 newspapers less than that average. That decrease may he accounted for by the doubt which existed as to the rate of postage upon newspapers by the new route. There were received in Auckland from the South sixty-one boxes of mails for despatch by the City of Melbourne. The next meeting of the Otago Institute is announced to be held in the City Council Chambers, on Tuesday next, at S p.m.